Representatives of the IDB Lab, the innovation laboratory of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, together with representatives of the world's leading technology and consulting companies, announced today the launch of LAC-Chain, a new alliance to promote the use of blockchain in Latin America and the Caribbean. The presentation of this new alliance took place at the FOROMIC 2018 conference, which is being held this year in Barranquilla, Colombia.

IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno participates in the opening session
BALI, Indonesia - The heads of the leading multilateral development banks (MDBs) meeting at the Global Infrastructure Forum 2018 (GI Forum) today expressed their condolences following the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods in Sulawesi, Indonesia and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to deliver infrastructure that is resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.

A new report by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) identifies ten key elements that can help projects improve their sustainability and reduce potential social conflicts, from proper community engagement and legal foundations to adequate monitoring of results.

Backed by 26 Caribbean governments and the private sector, the Accelerator will fast-track investments which support climate action and economic growth
The Inter-American Development Bank announced today that it will partner with the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator to program and implement the additional $1 billion in funds that it pledged for climate smart-investments across the Caribbean region at the Paris One Planet summit on December 12, 2017.

More than 500 civil society representatives from 26 nations and international experts share knowledge on innovation from the perspective of future jobs, intelligent cities, the digital economy and social innovation
SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia – More than 500 representatives from Latin American and Caribbean Civil Societies organizations met in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, with senior Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) officials to discuss ways to put innovation at the service of sustainable development.

Miami Dade College (MDC) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will host Demand Solutions Miami on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Wolfson Campus in Downtown Miami.
Eighteen startups in design, fashion, gastronomy, music and multimedia have been selected to participate in a one-of-a-kind conference that will highlight innovation and entrepreneurship that improves lives.

A new report by the IDB estimates a year-on-year growth rate of 17 percent in the first quarter of 2017
After four consecutive years of contraction, Latin American and Caribbean exports returned to a path of growth. In the first quarter of 2017, the value of goods exports increased 17 percent year-on-year, having contracted 2.9 percent in 2016. The recovery was driven primarily by a rebound in commodity prices, according to an analysis conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) using detailed data for 25 countries in the region.

IDB President and Paraguay’s Minister of Industry and Trade inaugurate the Business Forum at the Bank’s Annual Meeting
ASUNCION, Paraguay – The Business Forum “Latin America: An Agenda for Growth and Development” opened today, with more than 800 business leaders and high-level government officials from 33 countries. The participants gathered to discuss Forum an ambitious integration agenda to help the region participate in international value chains and compete in global trade.

Regional IDB Governors meet in Washington to analyze economic prospects for 2017
The modest recovery in the United States and continuing favorable financial conditions in 2017 will also represent sources of economic stimulus throughout the year for the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic, which will translate into growth of around 3.9 percent in 2017. Internal financial and monetary reforms should ensure price stability and the health of the banking system.

3,000 business meetings were held at the China-LAC Business Summit
The main goal of the 10th China-LAC Business Summit, recently organized by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), was to support Latin American and Caribbean small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with expanding their trade ties with China. Through these forums, the Bank has over the years enabled thousands of SMEs to penetrate the Chinese market, promoting knowledge exchange and business making.